18 Superfoods You Should Try Feeding to Your Amazing Dog from 18 Superfoods You Should Try Feeding to Your Amazing Dog Slideshow

18 Superfoods You Should Try Feeding to Your Amazing Dog Slideshow

18 Superfoods You Should Try Feeding to Your Amazing Dog

At this point, a dog being carted around in a stroller hardly even turns any heads — so how ridiculous would it be to start feeding them superfoods? In our opinion, it’s not absurd at all; in fact, it’s a welcome excuse to let your adorable little beggar in on some tasty table food.

They’re not even that much of a strain on your wallet. “Superfoods” are talked up excessively in health food communities and online, but in actuality a superfood is just any food that’s highly nutritious. Fruits, vegetables, and many other nutrient-dense options are all considered superfoods, meaning that it can be totally realistic and affordable to start buying a few extra for your dog.

The health benefits for Fido could be miraculous, and range from preventing cancer to simply adding a little pep to his step.

The one drawback to feeding him these superfoods: You’ll never get him to stop sticking his nose on the table at dinner! It’s worth it, though. These foods have crazy-good nutritional potential for your puppy.

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Apples

An apple a day keeps the vet away — and wards off bad breath. Dogs can’t brush, so they can get stinky pretty fast. But apples thankfully have natural odor-reducing power for your dog’s mouth. Feed your pup some leftover slices, or play catch with the whole thing! The result will undoubtedly be adorable.

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Bananas

They’ll go bananas for bananas.

But seriously. You know how runners love snacking on these fruits before a training day or a long run? Same goes for your dog and its ambitious stride. Your pet wants to frolic, and it wants the energy to do so. Bananas fit the bill, and add in amino acids, electrolytes, vitamin C, and potassium to a dog’s diet. This makes bananas the perfect pre-dog-park snack. Your pup will love the snack even more if you slather it with peanut butter, but we’ll leave that up to you.

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Blueberries

These tiny fruits are filled to the brim with free-radical-fighting antioxidants. That means that blueberries can help your dog to ward off cancer and increase your dog’s longevity twofold. Additionally, the antioxidants could help preserve your canine’s brain and keep Spot from going batty in his old age.

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Broccoli

These cruciferous, crunchy vegetables are just as nutritious cooked as they are raw — so if your dog shies away from the leafy green veggie, try sautéing it in something more flavorful first. Regardless of how they’re served, broccoli heads contain lutein, potassium, fiber, and calcium. These nutrients can protect your pup’s eyes, bones, and stomach from age-related degeneration.

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Carrots

Give Rover a whole carrot, and he’ll feel like he’s gnawing on a bone. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, making them great for human vision — but also for canine eyes. Dogs can get cataracts, too!

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Chia Seeds

Contrary to our expectations, this superfood is the easiest to get your dog to devour. All you do is sprinkle the seeds over your dogs’ food bowls before allowing them to dig in. Chia seeds are rich with omega-3s, which can help alleviate your dog’s arthritis pain or discomfort from other inflammation.

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Cranberries

Dogs, like people, can experience painful urinary tract infections (UTIs). Unlike people, however, they can’t tell you how badly they need to use the bathroom — or how badly they’re in pain. Minimize the risk of this trauma and feed your dog cranberries as a preventative measure. They’ll think they’re tangy and tasty treats!

Fish

The oilier the fish, the better, at least when it comes to the health of man’s best friend. Just like chia seeds, oily fish contains the insanely beneficial omega-3 compounds that many dog foods lack. If you don’t want to spend crazy amounts on salmon, try another fatty fish like mackerel. It’s easy to cook, and you can keep the leftovers for yourself!

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Kale

We bet you didn’t think your dog would ever go near a bushel of kale. Well, if you season it the right way, they just might. Plus, once they do digest this leafy green vegetable, they’re bound to benefit from the abundance of vitamins packed inside. From vitamins A, C, and E to anti-inflammatory antioxidants, the dark-colored leaves will help your tail-wagging companion fight kidney stones and cancer for as long as possible.

Kefir

This drinkable yogurt is tasty and filled with gut-healing probiotics. Dogs have gut bacteria, too — and they need feeding. Help out your dog’s tummy with this yogurt-like drink. Let your dog lap it right from the bowl, but make sure you buy one that isn’t sweetened. All that added sugar isn’t good for their tummies at all!

Pumpkin

Right from the can. Seriously, don’t feed your dog pumpkin pie filling — that stuff is so sugary that it’s toxic for dogs’ consumption. Make sure you buy plain canned pumpkin purée, like the stuff that’s used in recipes. The high-fiber food will regulate your pup’s digestion while simultaneously protecting their night-seeing eyes from cataracts and decay.

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Quinoa

Quinoa is one of our top whole grain choices for dinners (and every other meal), and it’s great for our pets, too! Make a nice quinoa salad for you and your family, and don’t hesitate to give your dog some leftovers. We know you trained Muffin not to eat from the table, but with all the fiber and protein she’ll be getting, it might be worth the exception.

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Raw Honey

Go ahead and give your sweet dog this sweet snack! Dogs have trouble digesting artificial sugars, but honey’s sweetness is all natural. During allergy season, dogs can sometimes become disturbed by pollen and other seasonal allergens. Increase their tolerance to bee pollen by feeding them small amounts of honey.

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Sardines

The vitamin B-12, vitamin D, and omega-3s in sardines are all extremely beneficial for your dog. Many dogs experience vitamin B-12 deficiency, which could be indicative of impairment in your animal’s ability to digest and absorb the nutrients available in food.

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Sweet Potato

Just like carrots and pumpkin, this orange food is brimming with beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes also have an added bonus: vitamin C, which aids in maintaining a healthy immune system. This perk is crucial for keeping your lively dog as healthy as your best friend should be.